Gardner was once the nation’s most highly-regarded dual-threat quarterback recruit. Then, he found himself at Michigan behind Robinson, one of the best running-passing QBs the country had ever seen. So slight were Gardner’s chances of seeing the field, he moved to receiver this year and had caught at least one pass in every game this season.

Last week, Robinson was knocked out of the Nebraska game after aggravating a nerve injury in his elbow. Gardner hadn’t taken a snap at quarterback in practice in goodness knows how long. An overwhelmed Russell Bellomy entered the game and was disastrous: His first 10 passes were incomplete and he finished the 23-9 loss to the Cornhuskers with an abysmal stat line of 3-for-16 with three interceptions.

Gardner completed 12-of-18 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns and only interception in the 35-13 victory for the Little Brown Jug. His best play may have been his first-quarter scramble at midfield to elude defenders, followed by a heave 45 yards to the end zone to Drew Dileo to get the Wolverines their first points of the day.

In the 6-4, 203-pound junior, Michigan might have found next year's starter.

It was like fresh air for Michigan, which had gone two games without a touchdown. Michigan’s scoring drives: 91, 90, 86 and 79 yards, showing Gardner was in complete control of himself and the offense.

Every expectation is for Robinson, who is completing 53.6 percent of his passes, to resume his role as the starter next week when Michigan plays host to Northwestern.